Buzz needs an extension..

[Tugg Speedman]

The issue with Buzz certainly isn't compensation...although we all want more money.  Right now, MU really supports its program well.  Travel via charter is a non-issue.  We outbid Illinois for an assistant coach.  The issue with Buzz is his supposed relationship with MU's administration.  Signing an extension, even if it is for a slight increase, shows everyone that that relationship is solid...may not be best friends, but solid enough for a strong working relationship.

Correct ... I would add:

If Buzz perceives he is bumping up against a ceiling at MU.  Right now, being a regular in the sweet 16 and the recruiting class coming next year, he probably does not see himself hitting a ceiling.

This is why a win tomorrow could go a long way to KEEPING Buzz.  It means the ceiling at MU is even higher than we thought.  So, while the "always wrong" sports media will think that a win tomorrow makes Buzz an even hotter property and more likely to leave, I think it does the opposite.  

Anyone that calls Buzz after a win tomorrow will recognize he is an E8 coach this year, and should visit the E8 again in the next few years.  He has a top 10 recruiting class coming and on tons of blue chips kids (which should give him a closer look with a E8 appearance).   He already has a top 10 paycheck.  So what are you going to give him that he does not have now?  Or, only bout 5 or so programs would have a realistic chacne of getting him and none of them are looking for a coach right now.

[NavinRJohnson]

Can he sustain MU as a top 10-15 program "every year?" Sure seems like it. Is he going to do any better anywhere else? Not sure how?

[Aughnanure]

Can he sustain MU as a top 10-15 program "every year?" Sure seems like it. Is he going to do any better anywhere else? Not sure how?

Certainly not at Minnesota.

[Golden Avalanche]

I think outbidding for top assistants and knowing MU will pay to attract those top assistants reinforced to Buzz how much he is wanted here. He wanted an assistant and MU made it happen with no care for the cost.

That's all well and good but it simply comes down to the Athletic Director relationship.

Frank Martin was kicked out of high school basketball in Florida. Hired dirty by Bob Huggins at K-State. Handed the program when Huggy went home to West Virginia and even after all that basketball redemption shown by the 'Cats left his great gig in Manhattan because he and the AD hated each other.

[Aughnanure]

That's all well and good but it simply comes down to the Athletic Director relationship.

Frank Martin was kicked out of high school basketball in Florida. Hired dirty by Bob Huggins at K-State. Handed the program when Huggy went home to West Virginia and even after all that basketball redemption shown by the 'Cats left his great gig in Manhattan because he and the AD hated each other.

A lot of people got sick of Frank. There was more to it than that.

[Tugg Speedman]

Certainly not at Minnesota.

They only way Buzz takes a job like this or USC is because he is unhappy in Milwaukee/MU and just wants out.  Nothing I see suggests this. 

Yes he had issue with LW.  But he will have issues with someone at any new place.  Buzz and LW do not have to like each other.  Instead they need a working relationship.  From what I have seem (which is public stuff, no inside knowledge), they seem to have that.

[The Lens]

They only way Buzz takes a job like this or USC is because he is unhappy in Milwaukee/MU and just wants out.  Nothing I see suggests this. 

Yes he had issue with LW.  But he will have issues with someone at any new place.  Buzz and LW do not have to like each other.  Instead they need a working relationship.  From what I have seem (which is public stuff, no inside knowledge), they seem to have that.

The same people who told me there were problems, have told me things are better.   

[Goose]

Lens

I have not heard anything in a couple of months. Glad to hear you nhave heard positive things.

[Lennys Tap]

The issue with Buzz certainly isn't compensation...although we all want more money.  Right now, MU really supports its program well.  Travel via charter is a non-issue.  We outbid Illinois for an assistant coach.  The issue with Buzz is his supposed relationship with MU's administration.  Signing an extension, even if it is for a slight increase, shows everyone that that relationship is solid...may not be best friends, but solid enough for a strong working relationship.

Agree. Widely reported (Parrish, Goodman, etc.) that Buzz and LW (and by extension Scott Pilarz) aren't the best of friends. If we lose Buzz (IMO) it won't be to a "destination", be it Texas, UCLA or anywhere else. It will be a relationship thing, leaving one that isn't working for one he thinks will. An extension at MU would at least indicate that relationships here have improved.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Agree. Widely reported (Parrish, Goodman, etc.) that Buzz and LW (and by extension Scott Pilarz) aren't the best of friends. If we lose Buzz (IMO) it won't be to a "destination", be it Texas, UCLA or anywhere else. It will be a relationship thing, leaving one that isn't working for one he thinks will. An extension at MU would at least indicate that relationships here have improved.

also Buzz's dancing and joking around with Fr.Pilarz after the Butler win should be a positive sign.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Fr. Pilarz'strack record indicates that he understands how important athletics are to a private University.

Larry has private school athletics experience as well.

I have believe that they are well aware of how important basketball is to MU, and how important Buzz is to MU basketball.

I'm optimistic that good decisions are being made.

[mu-rara]

If Buzz signed an extension and then left after two years for a school like Indiana, then I have no problems.

If he signs one and then we go through this again next like with the likes of Minnesota, then I won't be happy with our coach.

I know there are no guarantees...but I used to think a 10 year contract signalled something...signalled recruits that you were committed, stopped other coaches from buzzing that you were leaving.  I thought it signalled you would be there for 4-5 years anyway....

Oh well.  I learned. 

[Tugg Speedman]

I know there are no guarantees...but I used to think a 10 year contract signalled something...signalled recruits that you were committed, stopped other coaches from buzzing that you were leaving.  I thought it signalled you would be there for 4-5 years anyway....

Oh well.  I learned. 

What recruit have we lost because they think Buzz is not going to stay?

[mu-rara]

What recruit have we lost because they think Buzz is not going to stay?

I was talking about the general reasons why a coach signs a 10 year contract.  In Crean's case, I think they knew BoBo was insinuating that Crean was leaving.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

I know there are no guarantees...but I used to think a 10 year contract signalled something...signalled recruits that you were committed, stopped other coaches from buzzing that you were leaving.  I thought it signalled you would be there for 4-5 years anyway....

Oh well.  I learned.  

It does limit the number of schools who can afford to buy you out (See OU last year), which does provide some signal of commitment. Means the coach is happy there.

In Crean's case buying out a 10 year contract is something only a few schools can do, and by signing the deal he was only going to be leaving for a place like IU. A Minnesota, for example, wouldn't be able to afford his buyout even if he wanted to bolt there.

So a contract doesnt necessarily mean you're staying for the whole term, it just limits the caliber of program which could afford you.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

BTW does anyone know what Rick Barnes' contract buyout would be if they were to can him in the next year or two as we all fear? That coupled with buying out Buzz, as well as giving him a raise is a lot to take on for a state school.

I get that Texas is loaded, but they couldn't even smoothly slip Barnes a $200k raise last year without it getting held up in the state house.

My point is I think Buzz is secure, and more secure if he signs a longer-term deal, hopefully this offseason.

[brewcity77]

I think outbidding for top assistants and knowing MU will pay to attract those top assistants reinforced to Buzz how much he is wanted here. He wanted an assistant and MU made it happen with no care for the cost.

Honestly, I think the Isaac Chew hire was as big to keeping Buzz as anything. After losing Benford and Aki, our staff was decimated. Now look at it. Chew is a top recruiter, Wainright is a former Big East head coach, and Autry is Buzz's boy. Our staff now looks just as good, and arguably even better, as it was last year.

[MU82]

Honestly, I think the Isaac Chew hire was as big to keeping Buzz as anything. After losing Benford and Aki, our staff was decimated. Now look at it. Chew is a top recruiter, Wainright is a former Big East head coach, and Autry is Buzz's boy. Our staff now looks just as good, and arguably even better, as it was last year.

Great point, brew!